Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare and deadly skin disease that many people have never heard of. It can be caused by a negative reaction to medications, viral infections, and even some types of cancer. A form of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS), SJS affects both the outer layer of the skin and the mucous membranes. According to the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC), approximately 150,000 deaths per year are attributed to adverse reactions to certain drugs, which makes drug reactions the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S.

SJS is an extremely serious and life-threatening skin condition that affects both children and adults. Some of the most common signs of SJS include:

• Facial swelling
• Tongue swelling
• Hives
• Skin pain
• A red or purple rash that spreads rapidly
• Blisters on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals
• Shedding of the skin

These are some of the most noticeable signs of SJS. Some individuals may showcase more general signs before the rash forms, such as:

• Fever
• Sore throat and mouth
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Burning or stinging eyes

If you notice any of the above symptoms, we encourage you to contact your physician right away. The best way to treat SJS and keep it from turning into its deadliest form is to catch it early. If you are experiencing unexplained, widespread skin pain, please seek medical attention right away. It could mean that a certain medication you are taking has had an adverse reaction and you have developed SJS.

SJS Statistics

Unfortunately, almost any over-the-counter medication can cause SJS, including Ibuprofen and Tylenol. The majority of SJS victims are children, however, it can affect anyone. Again, early recognition of the symptoms and signs of SJS and prompt medical attention are absolutely imperative to minimizing the chance of long-term effects of SJS. Let’s now look at a few facts about SJS:

• Those who have diseases such as systemic lupus or other immune disorders are at an increased risk of developing SJS
• Those who have the gene HLA-B120 are at an increased risk of developing SJS
• In many cases, SJS is characterized by flu-like symptoms within three weeks of taking the precipitating drug. If after several days of feeling like you have the flu you begin to develop a red or purple rash the shape of a target, seek medical attention immediately
• There are around 300 new cases of SJS every year in the United States
• Around 100,000 people die every year in the United States as a result of SJS
• Caucasian men between the ages of 20 and 50 have the highest risk of developing SJS
• There have been cases of SJS reported in patients as young as 3 months old
• The majority of SJS cases arise in the early spring and winter
• When the rash or other SJS symptoms have spread to more than 30 percent of the body, the condition is known as TENS
• Patients diagnosed with TENS have a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of death than those with SJS
• In some, SJS first manifests as an upper respiratory tract infection
• Some of the top medications linked to SJS are Bextra, Celebrex, Dilantin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, penicillin, and Bactrim

If you or your loved one has contracted SJS as a result of taking a medication, please contact the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome attorneys today. We have taken on numerous SJS cases and are prepared to fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.